PW's Year of Beer: Laurelwood Organic Portland Roast Espresso Stout

We love beer. That's why we're devoting an entire year to discovering (and drinking) cold ones from near and far. Know of a beer worth shouting out? Send us a note at tips@philadelphiaweekly.com.

Not many cities can match Philadelphia when it comes to having a thriving beer scene, but the folks at Laurelwood hail from one of them: Portland, Oregon, routinely cited as perhaps the best beer city in the country. But you don’t need to leave the City of Brotherly Love to get a taste of Portland—and this is one Portland beer you will want to taste. This dry, bitter stout would be an excellent beer on its own, showcasing chocolate notes and an approachable alcohol content, but the addition of locally roasted coffee sends it over the top. The beer smells like morning. An explosion of bitter, aromatic coffee graces your nose and your taste buds, blending with the soft cocoa of a fine stout to make one heavenly brew. Coffee stouts are often good. This one is superb. Try it at Royal Tavern and Cook and Shaker.